El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en febrero 19, 2025, Michael Marto, 28, de Tuckerton, fue acusado de agresión sexual, atraer, Lewdness, and four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in connection with incidents that occurred on November 24, 2024, Diciembre 5, 2024, Diciembre 12, 2024, y enero 5, 2025 – all in Lakewood.
En noviembre 24, 2024, the Lakewood Township Police Department received a report regarding a male traveling in a motor vehicle and exposing his penis to a 10 year-old female victim as she was riding a Segway on Locust Street. Investigating Officers were able to obtain a description of the suspect.
En diciembre 5, 2024, Lakewood Township Police were again contacted for a report of a black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) following a 15 year-old female victim in the area of Coleman Avenue and Milton Street. An investigation by responding Officers determined that as the victim was walking on Milton Street, the SUV maintained a close distance with her – stopping the vehicle whenever she would stop walking. The driver then sexually propositioned the victim; she subsequently ran into her residence and the SUV sped away.
En diciembre 12, 2024, the Lakewood Police Department received another report of a male driving a black SUV, who attempted to lure a 15 year-old female victim into his vehicle in the area of Warren Avenue. Responding Officers discovered that as the victim was walking on Warren Street, a black SUV began driving slowly next to her. The driver of the vehicle rolled down the passenger’s side window and sexually propositioned the victim, who then ran from the scene.
En enero 5, 2025, Lakewood Township Police again received a report concerning a male operating a black SUV and following a 17 year-old female victim in the area of Cushman Street. An investigation revealed that as the victim was walking on Cushman Street, the driver of the SUV twice made sexual comments to her before speeding away.
Continuing investigation revealed that Marto was the individual responsible for the aforementioned incidents. En febrero 20, 2025, Marto was taken into custody without incident at his residence by Detectives from the Lakewood Township Police Department, Departamento de policía del municipio de Little Egg Harbor, and Tuckerton Police Department. Fue transportado a la cárcel del condado de Ocean., donde se encuentra actualmente en espera de una audiencia de detención.
El Fiscal Billhimer elogia a la Unidad de Víctimas Especiales de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Equipo contra delitos de alta tecnología de la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Ocean, Fuerza de ataque antinarcóticos de la oficina del fiscal del condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Lakewood, Departamento de policía del municipio de Little Egg Harbor, Departamento de policía de Tuckerton, y la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, por su asistencia combinada y colectiva en relación con esta investigación.